Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-10
Countess NalOla.
BY WILKIE COLLINS.
CHAPTER XIV.


Henry and Agnes were left alone in the
room of the Caryatides.
The person who had written the description
of the palace-probably poor author or art
ist-had correctly POINTED out the defects OF
the mantelpiece. Bad taste, exhibiting itself
on the most costly and splendid scale, was
visible in every part of the work 1t was,
nevertheless, greatly admired by ignorant
travellers of all classes; partly on account OF
its imposing size, and partly on account OF
the number of variousy colored marbles 4
which the sculptor had contrived to introduce
into his design. Photographs of the mantel-
piece were exhibited in the public rooms, and
found a ready sale among English and Amer
lean visitors to the hotel.
Henry led Agnes to the figure on the left,
as they stood facing the empty fireplace.
sShall try the experiment" he asked, "or
will you!' She abruptly drew her arm away
from him, and turned back to the door.
~ can't even look at it," she said THAT
merciless marble face frightens me-"
Henry put his hand on the forehead Of the
figure.
what is there to alarm you, my dear, in
this conventionally classical facet" he asked,
jestingly.
Before he could press the head inward, Ag-
mes hurriedly opened the door.
swat till am out of the ROOM" she cried.
"The bare idea of what you may find there
horrifies met She looked back into the
room as she crossed the threshold. 81 won't
leave you altogether" she said; Il will wait
outside"
She closed the door. Left by himself,
Henry lifted his hand once more to the mar
BILE forehead of the figure.
For the second time he was checked on the
point of setting the machinery of the hiding
place in motion. On this occasion the inter-
ruption came from an outbreak of friendly
voices in the corridor. A woman's voice eS-
claimed: dearest Agnes, how glad am to
see you again." A mans voice followed, of
fering to introduce some friend to Miss
Lockwood" A third voice (which Henry
recognized as the voice of the manager of the
hotel became audible next, directing the
housekeeper to show the ladies and gentlemen
the vacant apartments at the other end of the
corridor. "lf more accommodation is want
ed" the manager went on, a have charm
ing room to let here He opened the door as
he spoke, and found himself face to face with
Henry Westwick
This is indeed an agreeable surprise, SIR"
said the manager, cheerfully. "You are ai-
miring our famous chimney piece l see May
l ask, Mr.. Westyick, how you find yourself
in the hotel this timei Have the supernatural
influences affected your appetite againF
1.-THE supernatural influences have spared
me this time" Henry answered perhaps
you may yet find that they have affected
some other members of the family" He
spoke gravely, resenting the familiar tone in
which the manager had referred to his previ-
Gus visit to the hotel. Have you Just re-
turnedf' he asked, by way of changing the
topic
Just this minute, sir. i had the honor of
travelling in the same train with friends of
yours, who have arrived at the hotel-Mr.
and Mrs Arthur Bsrville and their travelling
companions. Miss Lockwood is with them,
looking at the rooms They will be here be-
fore long, if they find it convenient to have
an extra room at their disposal
This announcement decided Henry on ex-
ploring the hiding place before the Interrupt
ton occurred 1t had crossed his mind when
Agnes left him that he ought, perhaps, to
have witness in tine not very probable event
Of some alarming discovery taking place.
The too familiar manager, suspecting moth
ing, was there at his disposal He turned
again to the Caryan figure, maliciously re-
solving to make the manager his witness.
Il am delighted to hear that our friends
have arrived at last he said Before ]
shake hands with them let me ask you ques-
ton about this queer work of art here.
saw photographs of it down stairs. Are they
for salef'
"Certainly, Mr.. Westwick''
"Do you think the Chimney peco is as solid
as it looks" Henry proceeded. "When YOU
came in was just wondering whether thi.
figure here had not accidentally got loosenei
from the wall behind it, He laid his hanG
on the marble forehead for the third time
"To my eye it looks little out of the perpen
dicular. almost fancy could jog the heac
just now when | touched it." He pressed thu
head inward as he said those words
A sound or jarring iron was instantly
audible behind the wall The solid hearth
stone in front of the fireplace turned slowly
at the feet of the two men, and disclosed q
dark cavity below AT the same moment
the strange and sickenng combination OF
odors, hitherto associated with the vaults
of the old palace and with the bed chamber
beneath, now floated up from the open re
cess, and filled the room.
The manager started back. Good God
Mr.. Westwick!" he exclaimed, what doe
this mean.'
Remembering, not only what his brother
Francis had felt in the room beneath, but
what the experience of Agnes had been on
the previous night, Henry was determined tc
be on his guard. a am as much surprised
as You are" was his only reply
"Wait for Inc one moment sir" said the
manager. Il must stop the ladies and gen
tlemen outside from coming i'm
He hurried away-not forgetting to Gloss
the door after him. Henry opened the win
dow, and waited there, breathing the pure
air. Vague approximations OF the next dis
covery to come filed his mind for the frs,
time. He was doubly resolved, now, not tc
stir step III tue investigation without a wit
ness.
The manager returned with a wax taper in
his hand, which he lighted as soon as be
entered the room
'We need fear no interruption now" hs
said. BE so kind, Mr. Westwick, as to hold
the light. 1t is my business to find out what
this extraordinary discovery means"
Henry held the taper Looking into thu
cavity, by the dim and Pickering light, they
both detected a dark object at the bottom Of
1t. 81 think l can reach the thing" the man
ager remarked, "if lie down, and put my
hand into the hole"
He knet on the foor-and hesitated
"Migbt ask you sir, to give me my glovesF
he said. "They are in my hat, on the chat,
behind you"
Henry gave him his gloves 81 don't know
what may be going to take hold Of" tn,
manager explained, smiling rather uneasil,
Is he put on his right glove.
He stretched himself at full length on tn
floor, and passed his right hand into the CIV
ity. u can't sny exactly what | have 70
hold oil" be said, "But have got tn
Half raising himself, he drew his hand out
The next instant he started to his feet witt
a Shrek of terror. A human head droppes
from his nerveless grasp on the floor, an,
rolled to Henry's feet. 1t was the hideou
head that Agnes had seen towering abov
her, In the vision of the night!
"a
5rs=-.- w..
A2.,T0atl1-a
tnhIlGyfs aa>sSr.N,